The effects of weight reduction on the rehabilitation of patients with knee osteoarthritis and obesity

Objective. To evaluate the effect of weight reduction on the rehabilitation of patients with knee osteoarthritis and obesity. Methods. A total of 126 patients with bilateral knee osteoarthritis and obe sity were classified into 3 groups by their stages of osteoarthritis. Each group was divided into subgroups a, b, and c. The subjects in subgroup a re ceived weight reduction treatment, those in subgroup b received weight redu ction and electrotherapy modalities, and those in subgroup c received elect rotherapy modalities to relieve pain. Results. Pain reduction, weight reduction, ambulation speed, and changes of Lequesne's index were greater in patients in subgroups a and b than in sub group c after treatment. Although the last pain scores in subgroup b were l ess than those in subgroup a, as measured by a visual analog scale (VAS), t here was no significant difference between their functional status. Signifi cant pain relief (VAS < 2) and an acceptable functional status (Lequesne's index < 7) were indicated when weight reduction was more than 25% and 12%, respectively, of the initial body weight of the individual. Conclusion. Weight reduction was found to be a practical adjuvant treatment in the rehabilitation of patients with knee osteoarthritis.